Salinas city public works crews and police officers did homeless camp sweeps along Soledad Street in Chinatown on Jan. 31, and again on July 25 this year. Homeless men and women are forced out of their tent homes and ordered to leave during sweeps that cost tax payers thousands of dollars. They all return by the next day, and life on Chinatown's streets returns to normal.

Sweeps are conducted three times a year in Chinatown because, according to city officials, homeless residents create a public health hazard in Salinas' version of Skid Row.